Shoppers in Blackburn have spoken their ‘sadness’ over the administration of Wilko, which could see the store in the town centre close if a buyer is not found.

The Blackburn and Accrington branches are two of 400 stores that told staff on Thursday that it has hired administrators from PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) to oversee the process.

Wilko entered administration this week after failing to secure a rescue deal, putting around 12,500 jobs in jeopardy.

It will continue to trade from all its stores “without any immediate redundancies”, the administrators have said, but if a buyer cannot be found, thousands of jobs and stores across the country could be lost.

It had launched a turnaround plan earlier this year after its sales and shopper footfall came under pressure as consumer budgets were hammered by the rising cost of living.

The Lancashire Telegraph caught up with "disappointed" shoppers leaving the store on Thursday.

Pauline, who visits the store regularly, said: “It was a happy place more than anything else.

“The staff were always great and I love to shop here.

“They have a variety of seeds and plants and that is what I come for. I will miss it.

“It is main location in the town and I wonder what they are going to do with it?”

A couple who did not wish to be named left the store with several bags.

They said: “We come here at least two to three times a week.

“It really does have everything. It saves you running around to different places.

“We feel sorry for the staff more than anything else.”

Lynn, who was on a day out from Accrington, said she would shop at Wilko in her hometown too.

She said: “They had decent prices and great range of products.

“I don’t think there is anything else like it.

“They did have almost everything.  I come for the flower arranging and crafts.

“I do feel for the staff as my neighbour works for them and it is sad.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Shakeel Ali was passing through the town centre and said the store was going to missed by a lot of people.

“I come here all the time and buy the plastic flowers to put on my mum’s grave," he said.

“It really has everything and there is nothing else like it.

“A lot of people have a lot of love for this store and the staff here in Blackburn.”

It is understood Wilko held talks with private equity firms Gordon Brothers, which owns Laura Ashley, and Alteri as it sought funding to keep it afloat, but was unable to strike a deal.

Nadine Houghton, national officer at the GMB union, said: “The 12,000 Wilko workers now facing potential redundancy will take little solace that, with better management, the situation that has befallen Wilko was, sadly, entirely avoidable.

“GMB has been told time and time again how warnings were made that Wilko was in a prime position to capitalise on the growing bargain retailer market, but simply failed to grasp this opportunity.”